Chapter 13: Number One in the World [13]

After realizing the situation was unfavorable, Hu Xuan had the thought of making a run for it.

Shu Heng clearly had a backer now. If he continued to pester her at this time, he feared he wouldn’t gain any advantage and might even get dealt with in return.

After deciding to retreat, Hu Xuan stealthily changed direction and walked backwards. Once he saw that no one was paying attention to him, he felt both annoyed and relieved, and finally slunk away dejectedly.

Shu Heng noticed Hu Xuan’s movements. Upon seeing his cowering appearance, she suddenly felt that some things weren’t a big deal.

The strong boy from her memories who could pick her up with one hand was now just a bully who picked on the weak and feared the strong—a social idler.

Why should she fear such a person?

If she was afraid he would make a move on her, then she should just exercise well. Who would beat whom down then was still unknown.

–

After some simple pleasantries, Li Jianwei and Secretary Lu carried the ingredients they had purchased that day, chatting as they walked toward Shu Heng’s home.

As soon as Shu’s Mother opened the door, she saw a row of leaders and hurriedly led them inside. She then boiled water and brewed some tea they had bought not long ago.

Secretary Lu had clearly done her homework. Knowing that Shu’s Mother wasn’t in good health, she expressed special concern for her well-being when accepting the tea.

When those in power deliberately released goodwill, they often exuded an air of affinity, making others feel they were very approachable—like basking in a spring breeze.

After just a few exchanges with Secretary Lu, Shu’s Mother laid out the entire family situation. Li Jianwei, observing from the side, couldn’t help but twitch her eyelid. This scene felt oddly familiar.

Once the pleasantries were done, Secretary Lu stated her purpose. She wanted to ask if Li Jianwei had any plans to open a branch in Spring Source County and personally introduced the local policies for attracting investment.

Part of Secretary Lu’s intention was obvious: she wanted to bring investment to the county, especially from high-quality enterprises.

Li Jianwei listened attentively. “Secretary Lu must have looked into Zhizhu Technology. If I set up a branch here, who would be our stable clients? And who would we provide services for?”

Secretary Lu didn’t answer directly. “They say technology changes life. With technological progress, I’ve seen changes from all sides. I’ve been wondering if our institutions that serve the people can keep pace too. It wouldn’t do to fall behind the people.”

Understanding the implied meaning, Li Jianwei got it. “Speaking of that, I discussed it with Shu Heng on the way here. If we could integrate the smart system into the traffic department, perhaps it could improve problems like illegal parking and jaywalking.”

“The secretary should know we had a small incident on the road yesterday.”

Secretary Lu’s smile deepened. “Indeed. Spring Source County has chronic issues with road management, and I’ve been worrying about how to solve them. If President Li can provide a suitable solution, we will definitely support it strongly.”

To Shu Heng’s ears, the conversation between Li Jianwei and Secretary Lu sounded very official—like they had said everything and nothing at the same time, committing to nothing concrete.

Of the four people who came with Secretary Lu, one took over from Shu’s Mother to refresh their tea, another chimed in at the right moments, and the other two kept scribbling notes in their notebooks.

This left Shu Heng, who could only sit and listen, feeling a bit uneasy. She pulled out her phone, opened the memo app, and pretended to be busy and serious herself.

After the topic circled around, it looped back to Shu Heng.

Shu Heng smiled after being lavishly praised by the secretary. In the end, she and Shu’s Mother took a group photo with the leaders.

“President Li, rest assured. I’ll arrange for someone to handle yesterday’s matter. It won’t disturb your New Year in Spring Source County,” Secretary Lu promised before leaving.

Li Jianwei smiled and escorted them downstairs. “Thank you for your trouble, Secretary. After the New Year, I’ll send people from the company for an on-site inspection. I’ll have to trouble you to look after us then.”

The two exchanged smiles. Some unspoken cooperation had already been preliminarily reached.

After seeing off the secretary and the deputy county head, Shu Heng felt light-headed, like she was stepping on clouds as she climbed the stairs home.

“Sister Li, does the secretary want the government to cooperate with Zhizhu Technology?” Shu Heng asked. She didn’t understand the overly official phrasing, but she knew what Zhizhu’s strongest suit was.

“You could say that. This secretary was transferred to Spring Source County from out of town last year. She wants to build a smart government during her term and use it as a feature to attract more investment,” Li Jianwei said with a smile.

“Secretary Lu is a leader with real vision. When we come back next year for New Year, the situation from yesterday shouldn’t happen again.”

Shu Heng nodded, the corners of her mouth curving up unconsciously.

She was happy, first, that her hometown could become better. Second, naturally, because of the future Li Jianwei had unintentionally promised in her words.

Thinking that next year she could still come home for New Year with Li Jianwei made Shu Heng’s smile impossible to suppress.

–

The New Year’s Eve dinner with only three people felt a bit sparse, but it was far livelier than last year for any of them.

After two days of interaction, Shu’s Mother gradually shifted from her initial tension to the role of a typical elder, inquiring about Li Jianwei’s health and daily life.

Even while watching the Spring Festival Gala together, she pulled two red envelopes from her pocket and handed one each to Li Jianwei and Shu Heng.

“There’s just over a hundred yuan inside—for good luck,” Shu’s Mother said. “Take them, and next year will go smoothly for you.”

Li Jianwei swallowed her polite refusal and accepted the red envelope. “Thank you, Auntie.”

“Thank you, Mom~” Shu Heng smiled and took hers too.

Shu’s Mother smiled in satisfaction. After telling them to turn in early, she headed to her room first, leaving the two sitting close together on the sofa.

After the skit ended, Shu Heng spoke up. “Sister Li, the new year is almost here. Do you have any wishes?”

Li Jianwei lightly tapped her chin, lost in thought. “For the new year, I hope to successfully expand the business and double the company’s market value.”

For example, by acquiring Photon Dynamics and turning it into a branch under Zhizhu Technology, completely shaking off the influence of that absurd dream.

“What about you? Any goals or wishes for the new year?” Li Jianwei asked in return.

“I hope to get the grades I want, learn new technologies from the professor, and develop new systems and software,” Shu Heng said, pausing for a moment.

“If I can use what I learn to help Sister, that would be even better. I want to do something for you.”

Shu Heng pursed her lips. In that instant, she actually wanted to say something to express her feelings for Li Jianwei.

But when the words reached her lips, she worried it would spoil the harmonious atmosphere, so she settled for a standard answer.

“Those can count as new year goals. Do you have any wishes that are harder to achieve?” Li Jianwei said with a smile, trying to encourage her. “Sometimes, voicing a wish makes it more likely to come true.”

Shu Heng’s left hand clenched unconsciously. Was she overthinking it? Or was Sister really hinting at something?

Though her heart stirred restlessly, the words that came out were still perfectly proper. “As for wishes… I hope I can join the professor’s new project and publish two SCI papers in a year.”

Li Jianwei let out a light chuckle, a trace of helplessness in her eyes. “That’s definitely not an easy wish. I hope you succeed.”

It seemed her own attitude wasn’t clear enough. Little Cabbage didn’t even have the courage to confess her feelings.